24 Water Feature Ideas for Your Backyard
The key to the ultimate backyard oasis is a water feature
When choosing the perfect backyard waterfall, fountain, pond, or stream, consider the amount of space you have, the slope of your yard, and what other features you’re working with, like a pool or patio. While factors such as the cost of an outdoor water fountain installation will make a big impact, these water feature ideas also showcase how the design will blend with your unique landscape.
1. Waterfall Across the Pond
LZ Cathcart at The Summery Umbrella bought a house with its own heart-shaped pond, which included a small island in the center where LZ was determined to add a fountain. The final product is gorgeous, and you can hear the soothing sounds of water gently falling even in a picture. There's no doubt that learning how to build a fountain in your backyard is complicated, but it’s possible with some advanced experience.
2. Waterfall Table
This unique waterfall table by California Waterscapes takes the style and sophistication of this enviable outdoor living space up several notches. Some homeowners prefer a tranquil waterfall without a pond. This option can give peace of mind when young kids frequent the space. It also requires much less maintenance than a pond.
Most pondless waterfalls will have a basin with 2 or 3 inches of water that recirculate to produce a consistent waterfall. That being said, essential fountain maintenance is still key to maintaining a healthy place to enjoy dinner. Be sure to clean the basin, pump, and decorative features regularly every several months.
3. Standalone Waterfall
Who says you need a pond to install a waterfall? The team at Aquaterra Earthscapes certainly doesn’t. Bjorn Holmgren, who has spent 20 years installing and repairing water features, recommends asking your local water feature professional for specifics about the components required. Ask what brand the pump is and about warranties.
“A correctly installed waterfall will be a low-maintenance oasis, while one installed incorrectly will be nothing but headaches,” says Holmgren. “A beautiful waterfall will require some artistic touches along with the know-how. Keep in mind that these are luxury items and are not cheap when using quality materials. So by having it done correctly the first time, you will only have to pay once.”
4. Bring the Tranquility Indoors
Backyard ideas for a water feature are nice, but you could also bring the tranquility indoors. Kevin Allen and the team at Water by Design started by installing outdoor water features but then found a way to bring the soothing flow of a waterfall inside. This handsome, framed, stacked-stone focal point is actually part waterfall, part fireplace. It’s the perfect compromise for the water sign who marries a fire sign.
5. Swimming Pool Waterfall
Why not turn a utilitarian swimming pool pump into a work of art—and a fun splash zone? The team at Aquatic Rock Formations created a multilevel stone waterfall to complete a backyard oasis so good that the only thing that would send a person inside is a Wisconsin winter. In most cases, the pool and waterfall should be designed as one project to ensure the deck can support the weight of the rock and that there is enough space to accommodate the desired water feature.
6. Combine a Pond and Fountain Feature
The best water features mimic the natural look of a stream you'd encounter in the middle of the forest. Even better, build a fountain that sends water trickling down into a pond. Building a pond costs an average of $3,400, and adding a fountain will add between $450 and $1,000. Not only does adding a fountain feature help aerate your pond, but it also creates a calming ambiance in your backyard for unwinding at the end of the day.
7. Waterfall Privacy Screen
Using a waterfall as a privacy screen does double duty. You can drown out the neighbors’ noise with the soothing sound of your water feature (and also block anything unsightly in their yard). Plus, you and your family get some privacy to enjoy your outdoor space.
8. Repurpose Your Natural Stone
A large portion of hardscaping costs go toward materials. If you have large slabs of stone left over from a patio or retaining wall project, consider hiring a professional mason to use the materials for a backyard fountain. The stone will blend instantly with your surrounding backyard design and make the most of the materials you purchased.
9. Go, Fish!
Give fish a home in your backyard. Koi fish represent strength and accomplishment, but they’re also nice to look at. Koi fish can adapt to their climate, making them great backyard fish. Of course, maintaining a koi pond is more work than a pondless waterfall, so make sure you’re up for the challenge if you decide to take on pets.
10. Pair With a Patio
A pond is a stellar place to kick back with a book and a cup of coffee, so it's important to encourage as much waterside lounging as possible. Place your pond and fountain beside your stone patio and seating area. You can even add a gazebo or trellis to create proper shade for hot afternoons. And if you already have a great patio, consider adding a pond yourself if you're an advanced DIYer.
11. Complement Your Pool
Homeowners who feel more at home by the water will love designs that combine pools and ponds. Consider placing the pond close enough to your pool without interrupting the harmony and balance of the differing water ingredients. While this is a trickier water element to maintain, it means you can swim right up to the edge of the pool and say hello to your favorite koi friends.
12. Illuminated Waterfall
This glowing backyard waterfall is proof that lights and water belong together. Although this setup is especially appealing, you can add lights to any type of waterfall or fountain—even one you already have. Look for waterproof and solar-powered outdoor lighting options so you can simply set them amongst the rocks and let them do their thing. No need for access to an electrical outlet because they’ll light up on their own.
13. Jungle Escape
Install a backyard waterfall amongst a lot of warm-weather plants—like succulents, palm trees, birds of paradise, and more—to create a tropical hideaway. If your environment doesn’t sustain plants like that because it’s too chilly, build a cooler climate, forest-inspired getaway instead with moss and ferns.
14. Create a Bird-Friendly Haven
Backyard water features ideas are not just for people—they’re also for the birds. Pair simple water fountains with birdbaths and pollinator-friendly flowers. Attracting more birds and butterflies to your garden is both beautiful and a sign that you're serving your local ecosystem. Opt for plants native to your area with bright colors. Placing the water elements within the vibrant garden will attract your favorite creatures throughout the season.
15. Pair With a Rock Garden
Let's say you're lucky enough to move into a home with an existent natural pond or stream running through your backyard. Bringing in natural stone and river rocks can assist with flooding and erosion, or encourage drainage for your nearby garden. Rock garden ideas can be just as comforting and serene as water features in your backyard, and the two pair perfectly.
16. Fountain Waterfall
If you want a backyard waterfall but don’t want to commit to massive construction, start small with something like these individual fountain waterfalls. Place them over a body of water that’s already there—whether it’s a fountain, pool, or even a pond—and enjoy the sights and sounds of running water.
17. Babbling Brook With a Nook
There’s no point in having a backyard waterfall if you don’t have a place to enjoy it properly. This at-home babbling brook features a built-in bench for sitting just above the running water and soaking up all the relaxing energies it has to offer. Although the bench featured here is made of wood, you could just as easily make one from another material, like metal or cement.
18. Pergola Waterfall
If your pergola attaches to your pool, pond, or fountain, consider installing a waterfall directly on the structure for a serene experience. With a pergola waterfall like this one from Radelli Pools, the opportunity to watch water flow from above can become a daily occurrence.
19. Hot Tub Waterfall
This stylish setup from Bellareed Luxury Pools offers both the benefits of a hot tub and a waterfall in one. The steps allow swimmers to climb easily from the pool to the jacuzzi and back again while also creating the effect of naturally running water.
20. Custom Design
If you want to go even further outside of the box, work with a designer and architect to develop something totally unique like this. You could create a wall of water as pictured here, use a piece of glass to make what appears to be a floating waterfall, or any other waterfall design you can imagine.
21. Make It the Focal Point
A koi pond, stream, or fountain can be complicated to install and maintain, so why not enjoy them as much as possible throughout the day? Consider arranging your pond close to the other highly used areas of your yard, such as the patio, a freestanding swing, or even a nook with a firepit. You can also concentrate your gardening in this area to seamlessly transition your pond plants to your flower beds.
22. Combine Your River Rocks
Most water features also include a collection of colorful natural stone and river rocks to round out the design. Explore the endless array of types, shapes, sizes, and colors when choosing river rocks to line your fountain or pond. The cost of river rocks runs between $500 and $100 for the average backyard installation, but you have the choice of everything from crushed limestone to lava rock. Consider matching or complementing the stones used throughout the rest of your landscape as well.
23. Keep It Classic
When perusing water feature ideas, keep the style of your garden in mind. Classing English or Mediterranean-inspired gardens evoke the feeling of winding through a lush estate from another century. Skip all the modern fountain options and install a classic stone or ceramic fountain that adds drama and style to the center of your yard. The focal point will increase curb appeal and create a new opportunity for gardening around the eye-catching sculpture.
24. Combine the Old With the New
Do you live in a classic home with Victorian-era accents throughout the architecture? Pair your backyard water feature with the overall aesthetic of your home. For example, consider transforming an old well pump into a fountain that aerates a pond below. You can either hire a water feature specialist to make the transformation or purchase the design as one unit.
Hiring a Pro to Install a Water Feature
If your water feature involves excavation, land grading, or running utility lines like plumbing or electricity, it’s a good idea to hire a pro to build your pond. A local pond installer or water feature contractor will construct your feature safely, making sure to meet all the relevant building codes.
Outdoor water fountains cost anywhere between $900 and $5,000 or more, so you’ll want to protect your investment by ensuring it’s installed correctly. Once your water feature is up and running, if something stops working, call a fountain repair service near you to fix the issue before the damage becomes worse and more expensive to repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smaller, pondless water features like bird baths, self-contained fountains, and bubbling rocks are much lower maintenance than their counterparts that include ponds. Pondless features help you avoid high pond maintenance costs and allow you to spend more time enjoying the water feature and less time on upkeep.
Backyard water features can add serenity to your property, drown out neighborhood noise, and serve as a focal point to a stunning landscape design. In some cases, a properly installed and maintained water feature can add to your home’s value. Just be sure to check with your insurance company before installation since some features may affect your premiums.
Placing your water feature in direct sun can speed up evaporation, leading to pump damage and algae growth. Shade or partial shade serves as the ideal location for most water features—just watch out for tree and plant debris that may fall in and clog the pump.